Checkpoint 1.2: Keyboard accessibility features

Rationale

The Windows operating system, CDE/Motif Unix systems, OS X, and iOS systems have a set of accessibility options which enable users with disabilities to customize system wide settings to improve accessibility. For example, a Windows user with a physical disability may not be able to press multiple key stroke sequences, such as Ctrl+Alt+Delete, simultaneously. Setting the Sticky Keys option enables the user to press and release the keys to invoke the desired function. For example, the user can press and release the Shift key 5 times, then press and release Ctrl, then Alt, then Delete to restart the Windows operating system.

Keyboard accessibility options make it possible for people with a variety of disabilities to use their computer. If the application software interferes with these options, some users may find their system unusable.

On Unix systems, they are part of the AccessX package. On Apple OS X systems, they are in System Preferences as part of Universal Access. On iOS systems they are available in Settings, General, Accessibility.

Mouse Keys enable users to move the mouse pointer using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

CDE/Motif systems reserve several key sequences. Six consecutive clicks of the Control key will enable and disable screen-reader numeric keypad functions. Six consecutive clicks of the Alt key are reserved for future AccessX use.

Do not define application keyboard shortcut keys that interfere with documented shortcut keys for operating system accessibility features.

Example 4

Keyboard shortcut to enable and disable Sticky Keys is to press the Shift key 5 times.

The keyboard shortcut to enable and disable Slow Keys and Repeat Keys is to hold down either Shift key for 8 seconds.

Toggle Keys function does not have a keyboard shortcut to enable and disable defined.

Mouse Keys function does not have an accelerator key sequence to enable and disable defined.

CDE/Motif systems reserve several key sequences. Six consecutive clicks of the Control key will enable and disable screen-reader numeric keypad functions. Six consecutive clicks of the Alt key are reserved for future AccessX use.

Examples for OS X developers

On Apple OS X systems accessibility is found in System Preferences under Universal Access.

Do not disrupt or disable documented operating system features for keyboard accessibility.

Example 5

Sticky Keys enable users to press multiple key strokes like Ctrl-Alt-Delete by pressing one key at a time.

Slow Keys enable users to slow the keyboard (similar to RepeatKeys on Windows).

Toggle Keys support is not provided on an OS X system.

Mouse Keys enable users to move the mouse pointer using the arrow keys on the keyboard.

Do not define application keyboard shortcut keys that interfere with documented shortcut keys for operating system accessibility features.

Example 6

Keyboard shortcut to enable and disable Sticky Keys is to press the Shift key 5 times.

Slow Keys are enabled on an OS X system through the Universal Access Control Panel.

Toggle Keys support is not provided on an OS X system.

Keyboard shortcut to enable and disable Mouse Keys is Command-Shift-Clear.

Examples for iOS developers

On iOS systems the Accessibility options are part of the System settings. The iOS soft keyboard displayed on the screen does not support key repeat, except on delete and the repeat rate is not adjustable. The Bluetooth keyboard supports repeat, but the rate is not adjustable. Bluetooth keyboard pairing is done using System, Keyboard.

Do not disrupt or disable documented operating system features for keyboard accessibility.

Example 7

Triple-click home is an option that can be set to turn VoiceOver on or off with Triple-click.

Keyboard access through a paired Bluetooth keyboard is done through standard pairing under System, keyboard. When a keyboard is paired and VoiceOver is turned on, navigation is possible with the keyboard. See VoiceOver navigation keys using a paired Bluetooth keyboard.(link resides outside of ibm.com)

Slow Keys, Toggle Keys, and Mouse Keys are not enabled on a keyboard attached by Bluetooth.

Do not define application keyboard shortcut keys that interfere with documented shortcut keys for operating system accessibility features.

Required test techniques

Required test software

No additional software is required to test this checkpoint.

Windows test techniques

The following techniques are required to verify this checkpoint:

Action

Result

1. Test with StickyKeys enabled.

Go to the Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Keyboard tab, select the StickyKeys “Settings” button. When the dialog appears, enable the "Use shortcut" option and press OK. Select the “Use StickyKeys” option, select the Apply button, and then select the OK button.

Switch the focus back to the application.

Activate the StickyKeys feature using the keyboard shortcut (five clicks of the Shift key).

Using only one finger, navigate throughout the application. Activate multiple key stroke sequences (e.g. Ctrl+P for print) using only one finger.

Pass:

Multiple key stroke sequences can be activated by pressing and releasing each key sequentially.

Fail:

Multiple key stroke sequences can only be activated by pressing the keys simultaneously.

2. Test with FilterKeys enabled.

Go to the Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Keyboard tab, select the FilterKeys “Settings” button. When the dialog appears, enable the "Use shortcut" option, enable the "Ignore repeated keystrokes" option, and select the OK button. Select the “Use FileterKeys” option, select the Apply button and then select the OK button.

Switch focus back to the application.

Activate the FilterKeys function using the keyboard shortcut (press and hold the right Shift key for 8 seconds).

Go to a text typing area in the application.

Pass:

Only one letter is displayed on the screen when you press and hold a key.

Fail:

Multiple copies of a letter are displayed on the screen when you press and hold a key.

3. Test with ToggleKeys enabled.

Go to the Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Keyboard tab, select the ToggleKeys “Settings” button. When the dialog appears, enable the "Use shortcut" option and select the OK button. Select the “Use ToggleKeys” option, select Apply, and then select OK.

Switch focus back to the application.

Activate the ToggleKeys function using the keyboard shortcut (press and hold the NumLock key for 5 seconds).

An audio tone sounds when the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys are pressed.

Fail:

No audio tone sounds when the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys are pressed.

4. Test with MouseKeys enabled.

Go to the Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Mouse tab, select the “Settings” button. When the dialog appears, enable the "Use shortcut" option and select OK. Select “Use MouseKeys”, select Apply, and then select OK.

Switch the focus back to the application.

Activate the MouseKeys function using the keyboard shortcut (Left-Alt+Left-Shift+NumLock).

Use the arrow keys to move the mouse pointer.

Pass:

The mouse pointer can be moved using the arrow keys.

Fail:

The mouse pointer does not move when using the arrow keys.

5. Test with HighContrast enabled.

Go to the Control Panel - Accessibility Options. On the Display tab, select the “Settings” button. When the dialog appears, enable the "Use shortcut" option,press OK. Select “Use High Contrast”, select Apply, and OK.

Switch the focus back to the application.

Activate the HighContrast function using the keyboard shortcut (Left-Alt+Left-Shift+PrintScreen).

option,press OK. Select

Pass:

The color scheme for the displayed information is changed to the HighContrast scheme.

Fail:

The color scheme for the displayed information is not changed to the HighContrast scheme, or not fully changed to the high contrast scheme.